User-request-initiated transmission of data files

Abstract

A computer node (100) connected to a network (N) is associated with a collection of data files (F1, . . . , Fm) adapted to be supplied to user terminals (T1, T2) for playback/display therein. The node (100) receives user requests (R) from user terminals (T1, T2) via a request input interface (110). Each request (R) identifies a requested data file (F1) in the collection of data files (F1, . . . , Fm). In response to and based on each such request (R), a control unit (120) derives at least two basic request components (r1, r2, r3). Each basic request component (r1, r2, r3) reflects a respective set of features characterizing specific aspects of a playback/display capacity of the user terminal (T1) from which the user request (R) was originated. Based on the at least two basic request components (r1, r2, r3), the control unit (120) also executes a playback/display capacity algorithm containing at least two consecutive steps. Based on a result of the of the algorithm, the control unit (120) derives a composite playback/display capacity (C_τ-tot) of the user terminal (T1); selects (v_ID) a version (F1vi) of the requested data file (F1) which version (F1vi) matches the composite playback/display capacity (C_τ-tot) in respect of the particular contents of the file (F1); and causes forwarding of the selected version (F1vi) of the requested data file (F1) to the user terminal (T1).

Description

THE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART[0001]The present invention relates generally to distribution of data files to user terminals. More particularly the invention relates to a computer node according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method according to claim 14. The invention also relates to a computer program according to claim 27 and a computer readable medium according to claim 28.[0002]Today, digital content comes in many different forms, for instance as texts, images, sounds and video. Moreover, the public demand for digital media increases rapidly. However, each type of content can occur in a wide range of formats, and normally, due to hardware and / or software limitations, a given user terminal is only capable of displaying / playing a subset of all theoretically possible formats. It is therefore an intricate task to distribute digital content to any larger number of potential recipient terminals.[0003]To tackle this problem, WO 2007 / 066980 discloses a system wherein cu...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]The object of the present invention is therefore to solve the above problems, and thus offer a user-friendly solution for distributing data files efficiently via a general network, while enabling data supply to a large variety of user terminals.

Problems solved by technology

However, each type of content can occur in a wide range of formats, and normally, due to hardware and / or software limitations, a given user terminal is only capable of displaying / playing a subset of all theoretically possible formats.

It is therefore an intricate task to distribute digital content to any larger number of potential recipient terminals.

However, offering a suitable set of file formats with regard to the capacities and capabilities of the terminals expected to access the digital content via a resource, such as a web page, is still a non-trivial task.

Moreover, it is challenging to offer such content in a simple and straightforward manner to the typical terminal user.

However, more important, the strategies applied in the known systems risk failing to identify the features of the user terminal which determine the file format that is ideal for the terminal.

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